The Mets have plenty to sort through this winter, and starting pitching sits near the top of the list. Even with Nolan McLean, Christian Scott and Zach Thornton giving the organization some young arms to watch, New York still needs a true ace, especially after Freddy Peralta’s run as the club’s ace last year didn’t work out for either side.
That search could eventually lead the Mets into the same conversation as one of the most familiar names in franchise history: Jacob deGrom. Texas is reportedly open to moving some of its veteran pieces this offseason, and deGrom is among the players being mentioned.
On the surface, a reunion sounds like the kind of headline that would light up Queens. In reality, it’s the kind of move the Mets should resist.
deGrom’s track record with the Mets is undeniable. He won NL Rookie of the Year in 2014, made four All-Star teams in 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2021, and took home two NL Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019. Injuries kept him from putting together an even more remarkable run, but his 1.08 ERA in 15 starts in 2021 showed just how dominant he could still be when healthy.
Still, the warning signs are impossible to ignore. The right-hander is three years removed from his second Tommy John surgery, and while he just finished his second straight season with 30-plus starts, there’s no guarantee that level of durability holds. He’ll also be 39 next season, and he’s still owed $37 million in 2027.
That money matters for a Mets team already dealing with major payroll commitments. Marcus Semien is still owed $46 million over the next two seasons, which makes another expensive veteran gamble a tough sell.
There’s also the question of role. If deGrom had never left and the Mets were building around him, slotting him in as a No. 1 or No. 2 starter would make sense. But that’s not the situation now, and there’s no way to know exactly which version of deGrom would show up.
And even if the Rangers decide to move him, that doesn’t mean a deal is simple. deGrom has a no-trade clause, and reportedly used it last season when the Atlanta Braves tried to acquire him near the deadline.
For the Mets, the better path is clearer: add starters who can take the ball 30 times and help stabilize both the present and the future. McLean, Scott and Thornton are promising, but aside from McLean, the other two have not yet worked through a full big-league season.
The market should offer other options, both in free agency and via trade. New York needs reliability more than nostalgia, and deGrom’s best days as a major league starter may already be behind him.
In Other News...
Mets Fans Just Got A Concerning Sign About SNYs Future
SNYs latest round of cuts has put a spotlight on how the Mets home network is trying to adapt to a changing media landscape. The network laid off a significant portion of its editorial staff and canceled two of its signature programs, SportsNite and Baseball Night in New York, two shows that had long helped define the channels coverage beyond the game itself.
For Mets fans, the immediate relief is that the broadcasts themselves are not changing. SNY said the teams game telecasts and announcing crew remain under contract, but the broader direction is harder to miss, with the network planning to scale back its website and lean less on freelance help as viewer habits continue to shift. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Add Familiar Veteran As Pitching Depth Suddenly Feels More Important
Pitching depth has a way of moving from background concern to immediate priority in a hurry, and the Mets addressed that by bringing back a familiar arm. New York signed Robert Stock to a one-year major league contract, adding a 36-year-old right-hander who already knows the organization from his time with the club in 2021.
Stock has bounced through international leagues since then, but the appeal here is straightforward: he can cover innings in different roles and give the staff another veteran option. For a team that always has to think about how quickly pitching needs can change, a low-profile reunion like this can matter more than it first appears. [Read more 🡒]
Mets Face One Urgent Roster Decision Before The Lockout
With the lockout looming, the Mets are staring at one clear priority: getting their starting rotation in place before the freeze hits. The offseason has already been defined by the clubs need to stabilize the pitching staff, and the front office appears to know that if there is one area to settle now, it is the group that will take the ball every fifth day.
First base can wait a little longer, at least compared with the urgency on the mound. There are still several avenues the Mets can explore once the lockout lifts, and the market should remain open enough for them to sort through options later. For now, though, the rotation is the piece that feels most pressing, and it is the one decision that could shape the rest of their winter. [Read more 🡒]